Effect of Different Ceramic Reinforcements on Microstructure, Mechanical Properties and Tribological Behaviour of the Al6082 Alloy Produced by Stir Casting Process

Abstract

In the present study, the mechanical properties and high-temperature sliding wear behaviour of the Al6082-SiC-TiO2 hybrid composite in different environmental conditions produced by the stir-casting process were investigated and distinguished with single-reinforced composites (Al6082-SiC and Al6082-TiO2) and matrix alloy. The microstructure of composites exhibited a reasonably uniform scatter of particles in the aluminium matrix with good bonding between the matrix-particle interfaces. The hybrid composite’s hardness and ultimate tensile strength showed higher hardness and tensile strength than matrix alloy and single-reinforced composites, whereas trends were reversed for the elongation. The impact test of the materials was conducted at different temperatures (room temperature, 0°C, –25°C, –50°C, and –75°C). The hybrid composite shows higher impact strength than the other materials, and impact strength decreases with temperature because ductility decreases with temperature. The fracture surfaces were examined to identify the fracture mechanism. The sliding wear test was conducted at different temperatures (room temperature, 100°C, 175°C, 250°C and 325°C) to distinguish the tribological behaviour of materials. The weight loss of the materials was increased with an increase in temperatures. The hybrid composite shows a lower weight loss than the other condition samples, irrespective of the temperatures. The wear surfaces were examined to predict the material removal mechanism.

Keywords

• al6082 alloy
• low-temperature impact properties
• sic particles
• tio2 particles
• hybrid composites
• high-temperature wear properties